New York City’s Francis and the Lights are rounding out their third of three shows in three nights at Drake Hotel. Kanye called them “a mix between Prince and Phil Collins”. If you haven’t heard A MODERN PROMISE or STRIKING Friday night is a great time to find out what they can do for your dancing shoes.

The Tranzac always has a warm and cozy vibe. Looking forward to checking out a great double bill tomorrow (Sunday). Muskox and Jeremy Strachan (Gus is due back from Montreal so perhaps Feuermusik will be playing too?).

The Tranzac continues to be a hidden gem. Easy on the soul and the wallet with great music and cheap or PWYC shows.

April 18, 2009 is Record Store Day! What is Record Store Day? It was originally conceived by Chris Brown, and founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding independently owned record stores. A day meant to celebrate the few, true local record stores. The one’s that don’t merely pander to the payola and fickle tastes of corporate types “trying to move units”. These are the stores which promote local shows (even host them), sell a variety of great music vinyl as well as CD, and are types of businesses that enhance to the community (both the music community and the ones they inhabit).

Several venues in Toronto are part of the action including Soundscapes, Sonic Boom, Penguin Music and Criminal Records. You can expect the usual greatness from these epic Toronto independent record stores as usual. Tomorrow there will be some treats too. Sale items? Live performances? Local musician apparences? Special Limited Editions up for grabs? Perhaps all the above!

Record Store Day
April 18, 2009
Many participating Independent Stores Internationally and Toronto including…

It was unfortunate to see Billy Bob Thorton’s meltdown play out on Q. In a strange parallel to Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman Billy Bob was offended by host Jian Ghomeshi references to his other work (both on the screen and his screenwriting talents). Unlike Letterman, Jian Ghomeshi was not belittling or condescending. He well recognized the Billy Bob’s catalog of music to date. Jian was rightly impressed and inquisitive about the Boxmasters output in such a short time together. The resulting meltdown was shocking and disappointing to say the least.

Jian Ghomeshi remains one of CBC jewels. His show Q remains one of the best programs/podcasts CBC offers up Canada and the world. Hopefully Billy Bob Thornton and Boxmasters, recover from this public pouting fit. As an artist, actor and writer Billy Bob Thornton is exceptional despite this behaviour.

Well the dust has settled. Boxmasters play Massey Hall again tonight (April 9th) in support of Willie Nelson.

Place Hands are back! After taking a break to start a family and work on other projects Place Hands are returning to the stage tonight at the Press Club. They will be joined by Brides and Into The Other. A great way to rawk into the weekend.

PLACE HANDS with BRIDES and INTO THE OTHER
@ THE PRESS CLUB – 850 Dundas St. West
$5

Julie Doiron‘s latest album, I CAN WONDER WHAT YOU DID WITH YOUR DAY, came out this past Tuesday. I’m quite impressed. Caught a sneak peak in Hamilton last night but tonight’s show will be just as great based on the lineup. $100 will also be playing. It will be a real treat to hear great vocalists like Simone of $100 and Julie play at the Horseshoe.

Julie Doiron singing at Pepperjacks in Hamilton last night. Julie stops in Toronto tonight and plays with $100 and Rick White at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Dancing to a different beat thanks to White Whale Records sale. It’s been on since December 19th or something but it was a welcome find this weekend. Pay what you can digital downloads! Pick up Toronto’s Tusks!

I’ve long loved Zunior as an alternative to iTunes but recording label direct buying often leads to finding other listening gems. Culture Reject and The Mohawk Lodge are a pair on White Whale Records that deserve a preview. Would have loved have seen Culture Reject live in Toronto earlier this month but have to be glad to hear them in my playlist now. I’ll save the mindless big ticket buying to the masses. Relaxing at home and cuddling up with some great music is comfort enough.

Jeremy Strachan peppered the precussion with both soprano & bari saxes at Somewhere There Dec. 9th.

Somewhere There is a venue tucked away in Parkdale highlighting members of the Association of Improvising Musicians Toronto (AIM Toronto) as well as creative-musicians from everyplace else. The cozy atmosphere is host to live music 6 nights a week (from Tuesday to Sunday) and will be home to Leftover Daylight this Friday.